"Looks like the weather will be our main focus now. Thank you so much for tuning into our channel, this is CSE NEWS. The news for the people."
"Cut!!!!!" Sebastian the director said, his voice slicing through the air of the studio.
Ella sighed, her shoulders dropping slightly and brushing a strand of her silky hair behind her ear. As the tension leaves her body. " Wow, that was something."
"You did great." Sebastian told her with a wide smile on his face while getting Ella's business note book.
Ella was now 22 years old and working at the news report company just like her mother Nancy did before she retired, walking the same halls, following footsteps she once admired.
Ella grew up to be a cheerful, confident young lady. She was passionate in everything she did. Her long hair was thick , flowing gently down her back with a quiet elegance, her eyes shone like diamonds in the night, catching every flicker of light that dared to touch them. She was so beautiful with the body shaped like an hour glass, every curve resting in perfect harmony.
Her smile was vibrant and beautiful, the kind that could light up even the dullest room. She looked like perfection that everyone says does not exist, like something crafted rather than born, but one thing Nancy never forgot to teach her was kindness and to always care about others.
"So, what are your plans today?" Kayla, her childhood friend and partner-in-crime, asked, bouncing into Ella's office like a burst of energy.
"Nothing Kay." Ella replied slightly laughing, her voice soft, amused by Kayla's excitement.
" What hell no, we have to go outside and turn it up."
Kayla was Emma's child, the best friend to Ella's mother and they both grew up in the same house. They loved each other so much and did everything together. Soul sisters they called themselves, bound by more than just blood.
"Oh come on please! Please! Please!." Kayla complained stomping her feet on the ground, her impatience written all over her face.
"I have movie night with Jake," Ella said, tilting her head and giving Kayla her best puppy-dog face.
" Oh please!" Kayla shouted on top of her voice. " Jake doesn't even —
Before she could finish the owner of the company Mr Jacobs came into Ella's office, his presence instantly shifting the mood.
" How can I be of use to you sir?" Ella said innocently, straightening slightly.
" Mrs Smith, the general reporter for this season, has gone on a maternity leave so you are going to be the one going on field."
"What? But, sir, I'm doing a good job at the desk," Ella protested, her voice tinged with disbelief.
"I didn't you weren't Ms cade, but this job needs someone like you. You'd be perfect for this, most of the reporters have refused to do it."
" Wait, wait." Ella said, taking a deep breath, steadying herself. "If all my coworkers have refused, why me? It must be a dangerous unsolved murder case, right?"
"No, it's actually because it's a case involving Christian Niklaus Norman Grey," Mr. Jacobs sighed.
" You even know about who the case involves, why are you afraid to reach out then and get the news, what's so bad about this same Christian Grey? The name sounds godly," Ella said, chuckling lightly.
"I see you don't know him or his family," Mr. Jacobs replied, raising an eyebrow.
"I know him." Kayla said sitting on a couch in Ella's office with one leg up and dangling over the sofa arm rest, completely relaxed.
"Well, tell your sister then," Mr. Proones said, gesturing toward Kayla.
"He's the finest man to walk on earth." Kayla said mischievously with a small nasty laugh.
"What?" Ella screamed in disbelief. "Is that why you fear him?" She asked in complete shock.
"Kayla, can you be serious!" Mr Jacobs said with command in his voice.
"Sorry sir." Kayla said, trying hard to hold her smile. "He is one of the richest men in New York, with countless companies and hotels. His family is incredibly wealthy too," she explained, sitting upright.
" So?" Ella asked, tilting her head slightly.
"He has a lot of influence and can be quite arrogant with reporters. His family's wealth makes them seem untouchable. They get away with a lot," Mr. Jacobs added, letting out a weary sigh.
" What's the case about?" Ella asked, her voice sharpening.
" It is said that two bodies were found on the site where he is building his new hotel, club and golf club." Mr Jacobs replied.
What's the name of the building?" Ella asked, her curiosity piqued.
"He hasn't named it yet."
"This is bad, he can't get away with this, the world needs to know about people like him and his family." Ella said confidently, a spark igniting within her.
"That's why you are on the job." Mr Jacobs said, pointing at Ella.
"I sure am."
Okay, I'll tell my assistant Mallory to leave everything related to the case on your desk. Bye."
Mr Jacobs left Ella's office, the door closing behind him with a soft finality.
As he left, Kayla leaned in, smirking. "Damn, you're going to be dealing with Christian?"
"Yeah, what's so special about him?" Ella asked, rolling her eyes.
"He's some fine shit, girl, damn," Kayla replied, her eyes sparkling with mischief.
"Kayla, please. He's a murderer," Ella retorted, trying to maintain her composure.
"I'm just saying, girl, damn," Kayla shot back, sticking her tongue out playfully. "Because God knows how I would love to swing that murderer in handcuffs."
Ella shot her a look, half shocked, half amused.
"Kayla!" Ella exclaimed, mortified.
"What? Don't you know that bad boys have the best vitamin D? That's why Ice Cream Cone Jake got none—look at how you're thinning," Kayla burst out laughing.
"Can you respect him, please? That's your brother-in-law," Ella said, unable to suppress her laughter.
They came out of the company, boarded a taxi, and soon arrived home.
★★★★★★★★★★★★
"Hello, guys," Ella announced as she opened the door to their farmhouse, Kayla trailing behind.
"Hey, hons," Nancy greeted, kissing Ella on the forehead and then Kayla.
"You guys are back! How was work?" Emma asked, entering the house in her dirty gardening clothes.
"Mom, you smell like manure, dang," Kayla said, wrinkling her nose in disgust.
"I was going to bathe," Emma replied, waving her hands dismissively.
"Oh, hey, guys," Josh, Ella's dad, said as he walked in, his clothes smeared with engine oil. "Why does the house smell like this?" Josh added, looking disgusted.
"You never hear me complain about that sewer engine oil! How did my best friend manage, damn?" Emma shot back.
"Oh please can you —
Before Josh could finish his come back Nancy interrupted him, raising her hand slightly.
"Okay, you two should go take a shower. The both of you, in fact, because if you start with your Gen Z comebacks, we won't eat dinner tonight," Nancy interjected.
"I know that's right." Kayla and Ella concluded as they went to change in their rooms.
★★★★★★★★★★
Gathered around the dinner table, they enjoyed Nancy's famous brisket with mashed potatoes and refreshing pineapple juice.
"Mama, this is fire," Ella exclaimed, shoving a huge spoonful of mashed potatoes into her mouth.
"Why do you wanna act black by saying 'mama'? You white girl, own up to it," Emma teased.
Nancy burst out laughing, unable to hold it in.
"Okay, Aunty, that's racist," Ella shot back, laughing. "White girls can say 'mama' too, 'cause damn, you white too, and you say 'nigga.'"
"You wanna know where I say the name 'Daddy' a lot?" Emma replied, sticking her tongue out.
"Yuck, Mom," Kayla shouted, her face contorting in mock horror.
Nancy burst out laughing, and Ella looked surprised. "Mom, you're laughing? Seriously?"
"What?" Nancy asked, trying to stifle her giggles.
"Okay, guys, that's enough. Let's talk about something more productive," Josh said, covering his mouth to contain his laughter.
"Yeah, um, Mr. Jacobs has removed me from desk duty. Now I'm back on the field," Ella said, her voice heavy with concern.
"What? But you were doing so well at the desk! I watch you on TV every day. The field is dangerous, hun. Remember Don after that murder case?" Nancy warned, her tone maternal.
"Don't worry, Aunt. This one is dangerously hot," Kayla said, biting her lip mischievously.
"Kayla!" Ella shouted.
"Wait, is it a who?" Emma asked, her curiosity piqued.
"Damn right it is! Nobody else but Christian Niklaus Norman Grey," Kayla replied, her eyes wide with excitement.
"Oh my God, no way!" Emma exclaimed.
"Is Jake coming over for dinner on Saturday?" Nancy inquired, looking at Ella.
"Really, Aunty? You bring up Jake when we're discussing hot things?" Kayla laughed.
"Hey, he's hot too," Nancy defended, glancing at Ella. "Tell her."
"She ain't going to support Ice Cream Cone," Kayla teased, giggling.
"Don't call him that," Ella protested.
"By the time you're done with this case, you'll have bagged that hot billionaire. He's worth it," Kayla said, winking.
"I love John. I won't date a murderer," Ella replied firmly.
"Oh, he's a murderer," Nancy gasped. "Then you have to be careful with him," she concluded, concerned.
"No, he's not," Kayla interjected.
"Yes, he is! That's why I'm working on his case," Ella exclaimed, her frustration bubbling over.
"And John is a good man for you," Nancy said, her expression satisfied.
"He wears pink jeans sometimes! Who does that?" Kayla shouted, causing another round of laughter.
"There's nothing worse than being in fear of your partner's next outfit," Emma quipped, and they all burst out laughing.